Modine Pilot Light will not light. HELP!!

[Coors]

I have done some research on this but can not find an answer. My pilot light will not light on my modine garage heater. The heater has 3 postitions (OFF, Pilot, ON). I turn the gas on and push down on the button in the pilot position, but nothing. When I push down, should I hear a noise? (Like a gas stove makes??) I know I have power to the heater because the fan will kick on. I just didn’t know if my switch is depressed I should hear a noise, like the igniter is trying to make a spark. I have even turned the gas on and waited with a flame by the pilot light (not smart I know, but I need to get something going before my water pipes break.

New home owner so sorry if I am missing something simple.

Thanks,

 

[Falcon67]

When you depress the PILOT on the gas valve, there should be gas available at the pilot light tube near the thermocouple. None of the electronics (that I'm aware of) affect the pilot light, only the gas valve and the thermocouple. Pushing down in the PILOT position should override the thermocouple safety shutoff for the pilot. The pilot light is usually pretty docile, so you may not hear much of anything. You should smell gas though because of the hydrogen sulfide they add so you can smell leaks (NG is naturally odorless IIRC) If there's no gas to light at the pilot tube - I'd say it's either no gas at the valve, a bad valve or possibly an issue with the thermocouple. You might try heating the thermocouple tip with some flame for a bit to see if that might start things up.

All the pilots around here are manual ignition, so holding a flame to the pilot tube and thermocouple is normal.

 

[jonny o]

Is there a shut off valve in line before the heater that may be off?

 

[rickairmedic]

The other posable problem may be that the pilot orfice is clogged but thats a rare one . I would make sure the inline gas valve is on and then try to light the pilot . I dont know enough about the Modine units to know wether or not they are a spark ignition or if you have to light them manually . I usually use a torch to light manual ignition standing pilots ( dont forget you need to hold down the bottun for a minute once lit to preheat the thermocouple before switching over to the on position ) .

Rick

 

[Coors]

The other posable problem may be that the pilot orfice is clogged but thats a rare one . I would make sure the inline gas valve is on and then try to light the pilot . I dont know enough about the Modine units to know wether or not they are a spark ignition or if you have to light them manually . I usually use a torch to light manual ignition standing pilots ( dont forget you need to hold down the bottun for a minute once lit to preheat the thermocouple before switching over to the on position ) .

Rick

The gas valve is inline is ON. Once I turn the gas valve on shouldn't I smell gas? I thought I smelt gas, but my wife didn't.
I will try to preheat the thermocouple more tonight and clean it out.

Just a few questions. If the thermocouple is clogged - gas will not pass through, so I understand why it will not light.

If the pilot light valve is bad, does this mean it will not let gas pass through?

If I turn the switch to on, why won't gas pass through and I could light it from there?

 

[Falcon67]

The gas valve is inline is ON. Once I turn the gas valve on shouldn't I smell gas? I thought I smelt gas, but my wife didn't.
I will try to preheat the thermocouple more tonight and clean it out.

Just a few questions. If the thermocouple is clogged - gas will not pass through, so I understand why it will not light.

If the pilot light valve is bad, does this mean it will not let gas pass through?

If I turn the switch to on, why won't gas pass through and I could light it from there?

The thermocouple doesn't get clogged, the pilot feed tube might. If you turn the gas valve on and gas goes to the burners with the pilot off - that means the safety systems are defective and you need replacement parts big time. The valve should be designed not to allow gas through unless the pilot is lit and the thermocouple working. If the pilot goes out, that should prevent the heater from trying to light the burners. If that system breaks down, the end result can be a big boom.

 

[RUQKENF]

The thermocouple senses the heat from the pilot light. If there is no heat then the thermocouple will tell the system to shut off the gas, it is a safety feature. In order to get the pilot to stay lit you need to hold the button down for a little bit to heat the thermocouple. Does your pilot have a electric ignition or do you need to light the pilot manually?
Tony

 

[Coors]

The thermocouple senses the heat from the pilot light. If there is no heat then the thermocouple will tell the system to shut off the gas, it is a safety feature. In order to get the pilot to stay lit you need to hold the button down for a little bit to heat the thermocouple. Does your pilot have a electric ignition or do you need to light the pilot manually?
Tony

It is manual light.

Update: When I hold the pilot light switch down, I can hear air or gas coming out of the pilot light hole. When I let up on the switch I do not hear the hissing sound of the gas. How long should I be depressing the thermocouple? 1 minute, 5 minutes???? I don't get why I have gas coming out, and open flame (from my lighter) and it still won't light.

Maybe the thermocouple is just not warm enough to let the volume of gas out i need to start the pilot?

Thanks

 

[HoosierBuddy]

If you don't smell gas and it won't light, then it isn't gas. It's air.

You've got air in your gas line, I'd guess.

Press that button down and keep trying to light it. Eventually, you should actually hear the "note" the air is making shift slightly when the natural gas hits the pilot orifice. You'll also smell gas. At first, the pilot may try to burn but not stay lit if you remove your flame. Then, it will finally stay lit. Continue to hold the pilot button in for another 30 seconds or so. This will cause the thermocouple to heat up and generate a small current, telling the gas valve that the pilot is "on". Let out the pilot button and the pilot will stay lit. Rotate the knob to "on" and your heater should now operate normally.

Also...carefully check your piping with soapy water to make sure you don't have a gas leak. That air in your lines came from somewhere. If there's no gas pressure on a line with a leak, the air can get in. If there is gas pressure on a line with a leak...the gas will leak out.

If this is a new installation, then you didn't bleed your new gas line of air properly and it will take A LONG time to bleed it all out through the pilot.

Phil

p.s. Another thought I had...if you are unfamilier with this heater, you may not be trying to light it in the right place. You should see a pilot tube coming out near the thermocouple. Gas doesn't come out of the thermocouple. The thermocuple doesn't have to be hot to light the pilot. It DOES have to be hot for the pilot to stay lit after you let off the "pilot" button...which is essentially a manual override to let gas through the pilot so you can light it while the t/c is cold.

 

[rickairmedic]

Ok if you have gas comming out you should be able to light it . I usually use a propane torch to light standing pilot furnaces as I have found it to be a pain to light them with a standard Bic lighter . I would say try a propane torch ( I am assuming if you have a mancave with a hanging heater you have a propane torch ) . I bet it will light then . Once it is lit hold the valve down for 1 minute ( 1 one thousand 2 one thousand .......... 60 one thousand LOL ) .Then release it and the pilot should stay lit and you can turn the valve to on .



Rick

 

[Coors]

If you don't smell gas and it won't light, then it isn't gas. It's air.

You've got air in your gas line, I'd guess.

Press that button down and keep trying to light it. Eventually, you should actually hear the "note" the air is making shift slightly when the natural gas hits the pilot orifice. You'll also smell gas. At first, the pilot may try to burn but not stay lit if you remove your flame. Then, it will finally stay lit. Continue to hold the pilot button in for another 30 seconds or so. This will cause the thermocouple to heat up and generate a small current, telling the gas valve that the pilot is "on". Let out the pilot button and the pilot will stay lit. Rotate the knob to "on" and your heater should now operate normally.

Also...carefully check your piping with soapy water to make sure you don't have a gas leak. That air in your lines came from somewhere. If there's no gas pressure on a line with a leak, the air can get in. If there is gas pressure on a line with a leak...the gas will leak out.

If this is a new installation, then you didn't bleed your new gas line of air properly and it will take A LONG time to bleed it all out through the pilot.

Phil

p.s. Another thought I had...if you are unfamilier with this heater, you may not be trying to light it in the right place. You should see a pilot tube coming out near the thermocouple. Gas doesn't come out of the thermocouple. The thermocuple doesn't have to be hot to light the pilot. It DOES have to be hot for the pilot to stay lit after you let off the "pilot" button...which is essentially a manual override to let gas through the pilot so you can light it while the t/c is cold.

I think you are right, I must have air in my lines. I have held the button down for a good 20 minutes with no change. I smell a hint of gas, but I am not getting the "note" sound, just a "hiss" Should I be trying to light it the entire time or wait for the "note" sound.

How would I bleed the line to remove the air. I don't know if this matters, but my gas lines runs up to the ceiling along the rafters then down into the basement. Since the gas is heavier, maybe the 20ft of line in the ceiling is full of air?

Thanks everyone.

 

[rickairmedic]

Coors I dont know where you live but for 60 bux I would have already been over there gotten it lit and showed you live and in person how to do it yourself . I hate to say it but it sounds like your not real familiar with the unit and it might be a good idea to call someone in your area to come stat it up and show you how to do it .


Rick

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Coors I dont know where you live but for 60 bux I would have already been over there gotten it lit and showed you live and in person how to do it yourself . I hate to say it but it sounds like your not real familiar with the unit and it might be a good idea to call someone in your area to come stat it up and show you how to do it .


Rick

I have to agree with rick here.

Any further advice I give you could be lethal, or at least ruin your whole day. Call a professional.

Phil

 

[Coors]

I have to agree with rick here.

Any further advice I give you could be lethal, or at least ruin your whole day. Call a professional.

Phil

Got it to light, I think it was a combo of some air and and the pilot light switch would not fully depress. I also used some soapy water and found a possible leak. I tightened that up and no more bubbles.

Works great so far. Thanks for all of the info everyone.

 

[rickairmedic]

Coors good to hear you got it working ( and didnt blow yourself up ) . I think Phil and I were just getting a little worried for you at the end there but you got us and got it working .


Rick

 

[dodgehemi61]

I would like to add that I am having the same trouble getting my Modind to light.
Thanks for the information everyone this sight is great.
I will try holding the pilot light switch in longer than two minuites and see what happens.